Think about it
Rachel Arenas is it?
By Jun Velasco
First we change the system, then we are changed by the system.—Anon.
WITH the 2007 elections a done deal (Speaker JdV said so), the familiar faces we see during the elections are fast resurrecting day by day.
In Pangasinan, those of exciting interest are the congressional posturings in Rep. Gener Tulagan’s district. Not because it has the biggest voting strength, not because it is the second home-turf of the political kingmaker, Usec Bebot Villar, but because – now hold your breath – a new captivating face has just entered the political scene.
Ms. Rachel Arenas, lovely daughter of Makati socialite and philanthropist Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, has announced her ardent interest to run for congress and lately fired gentle salvos at Congressman Tulagan’s performance.
Over a cup of brewed coffee at the Pangasinan Regency recently, a query was brought up that went like this, “suppose the election for congressman were held today, who would win?”
Offhand, there are two names in the minds of the 3rd District voters and political kibitzers, Jun Tulagan, Congressman Gener’s junior, and Bayambang Mayor Leocadio “Boy” de Vera. The duo has been busily spreading their wings all over the district hopeful of making it after Gener bows out.
In our view, how the question was phrased was not really after whether De Vera or Tulagan would win, but to welcome the entry of Rachel Arenas to the 3rd district race. Because the question that follows logically was, “who will win on election day?”
In that meeting, all the analyses crumbled on Rachel’s stockinged feet, as most top personalities in Pangasinan, nay, in the Philippines are behind her candidacy.
Do not forget that the man responsible for brokering local “no-els” in certain towns in the 5th and 3rd districts is not far behind the move to draft Rachel. She is often escorted by Vice Govenor Oca Lambino, and you know the Rachel-Oca tandem is meaningful.
It won’t surprise us at all if the new face in Pangasinan politics will be unopposed in the long run. Someone sent this column this dainty little card.
“Reared in love and compassion for the poor Ablest in intellect, Harvard-schooled, kind, Charitable, service-minded, rarin’ to work Hard and bring progress and greatness to all Excelling all predecessors, vowing selfless “Love and leadership beyond compare.”
That card came from a five-star hotel. Could the great Dop be behind it?
* * *
Violence on the homefront. As we went to press, we received reports that a hired assassin was in the act of shooting San Carlos City Mayor Jolly Resuello at a party in Barangay Bolingit. The assassin gatecrashed into the bash and was conspicuously positioning himself for the kill but was overpowered by the mayor’s escorts who acted like Swat fighters.
But that’s not the end of the story yet. The assassin had hardly warmed his cell when his guards were busy looking in another direction. He escaped! By golly, Mayor Jolly, better give your boys a dressing. Did he escape or was he made to escape? This is a setting for James Bond movie.
In Dagupan City, outcries against gangsters and hooligans in the university belt should prod pronto police authorities to act before professors and students pack up and transfer to other schools. The reports are disturbing the city’s peaceful and tranquil atmosphere, and eventually the business climate if unchecked.
What’s the score, Chief Ed Basbas?
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Death tiptoed into the room like a thief in the night of our grandma, Josefa Martinez Guarin, 92, at her hospital bed in Parañaque last week. She was our guardian on our first days in college in the 60’s. At about the same day, a well loved auntie, Presentacion “Ciony” Gaerlan-Maneclang, who was in her 70’s, also succumbed to a lingering illness. Auntie Ciony, sister of ma-in-law Rosario Gaerlan, was one the prettiest faces in Dagupan during her youth, according to avant garde Eddie Diego. May Bae Conching and Auntie Ciony, rest in peace
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